In the interview with Markus Michael, one of the three CEOs of byon gmbh

As a reseller and cloud provider for custom solutions in cloud telephony and on-premises telephone systems, data lines and site networking, IP voice connections, call center technology, virtual ACD, telephony for Microsoft Teams, UC solutions, LAN/WLAN/SD-WAN/SBC/firewalls and video conferencing systems, byon GmbH, based in Frankfurt am Main, has made a name for itself far beyond the region. Since early 2023, the company has been part of the newly founded 360ITC holding as an independent entity and has been active in the field of IT and telecommunications for more than 25 years.

In an interview with Markus Michael, one of the three CEOs of byon GmbH, we discuss experiences from a wide range of customer projects involving various security concepts, the importance of the human factor, the benefits of managed services in IT security and how attractive financing models can be pragmatically implemented, especially in medium-sized companies.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Time and again, we hear that medium-sized companies are also being targeted, even those that are not necessarily in the high-tech sector and have previously assumed that their data or infrastructure is of no interest to attackers. How do you assess the current security situation, and why should such companies also protect themselves against attacks?

Markus Michael: The threat situation for all companies of a certain size is very different from what it was a few years ago. All companies should consider how they can protect themselves. Fundamentally, any company with an IT infrastructure is relevant. You also have to bear in mind how such attacks work today. It’s not just individual large companies that hackers target for extortion; cybercrime has evolved into an industry – similar to drug and organized crime. These organizations don’t specifically target the companies they attack; instead, they look for unprotected IP addresses that can be accessed. You could even be targeted by chance. Critical data, such as customer data, must therefore be protected.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What experiences have you had from customer projects where you would say: Be careful, there is definitely a need for improvement when it comes to security concepts!

Markus Michael: Many companies need to regularly review their IT infrastructure. Work environments are changing, becoming more digital, and the lines between office, private life, and workspace are increasingly blurring. Working from home or a mobile workstation is no longer protected in the same way as it is within company premises. This is clear because external access to many systems is necessary to enable work from home or, for example, in coworking spaces. The risk of attacks has therefore automatically increased. However, since these forms of work are the model of the future and cannot be ignored in the course of advancing digitalization, regular reviews of security standards and techniques are required.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: The human factor also plays a very important role when we talk about IT security. How much importance should be placed on employee training in the area of IT security?

Markus Michael: Employee training is of course important and adds a key component to a security concept. However, recurring training sessions can also become less effective over time. The flip side of the coin “security” is “convenience.” Therefore, it makes sense to consider how the human factor can be relieved. Zero Trust is the new buzzword in an IT security concept. The name implies that every connection made between employees, companies, and customers is verified. This type of verification of so-called east-west traffic complements the control of north-south traffic, which concerns data flows from the internet into a company’s internal network. Such a Zero Trust approach represents higher IT security, which naturally comes with greater effort.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: In many conversations, we’ve learned that IT security is often the top priority for administrators—the one thing they want to protect and keep under their control. What advantages do managed services offer in the field of IT security?

Markus Michael: Clearly: permanent availability (24/7) and personnel support. But the most important aspect is the security expertise that a managed service provider acquires and can apply based on the diverse requirements and conditions of customer projects. This accumulation of specialist knowledge is something a single company cannot achieve on its own. Another advantage is that, in the event of illness or other absences in the internal IT department, operations—and above all, security monitoring—can continue to be ensured.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Large IT investments are often difficult for SMEs to manage. The currently rising energy costs only add to the challenge. What options do you offer companies to quickly implement and finance high-quality IT security?

Markus Michael: At byon, we provide our customers with a rental model. This means no capital expenditure (CAPEX), only operating costs (OPEX) – i.e., monthly rental and service fees for the respective security solution. This cost saving can also be an argument for working with a managed service provider.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Firewalls for data lines are well known, but many attacks now target telephony. What options are available to effectively protect telephony from hacker attacks?

Markus Michael: For modern IP telephony, session border controllers (SBCs) act as a firewall that controls data streams and communication between internal and external networks. An SBC thus protects against third parties hacking calls and gaining access to sensitive corporate data. Additionally, an SBC can intelligently route calls or manage various end devices such as desk phones, PCs, or smartphones. A managed service provider also assists with integration and maintenance, ensuring the SBC is monitored 24/7.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Let’s conclude with a joint outlook. Where do you see the future of telephony and business communication? Will traditional telephony continue to exist?

Markus Michael: Traditional telephony tied to a dedicated device will lose relevance in most companies. It will only remain important for specialized applications or vertical sectors in social contexts, such as healthcare, or for businesses focused on communication (e.g., call centers). Otherwise, collaboration platforms will be used more widely, with telephony becoming just one channel alongside email, video, and chat.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Thank you very much for your insights, explanations, and the joint outlook.